First read it about 15 years ago. Although now dated to a degree (technologically speaking) it is still quite current (politically) even though the Communist Union is now defunct. Probably my favourite Clancy read.

Now reading Michael Crichton - Congo. About a third of the way through. Have read all of Crichton's books except this one. Again, one of his earlier works and has dated somewhat however not a bad 'adventure' read at the moment.

I would put it just under Jurassic Park and maybe tied with Sphere. I can't really numerically assign it because it was like ten years ago that I read it. Liked it more than Terminal Man and Rising Sun.

I remember sitting up in my lounge room reading it at about 3:00am. Thunderstorm raging outside.

Just as I got to the exciting/scary bit (don't want to spoil anything here) I heard a noise outside the window. I gingerly walked over to the curtains and pulled them aside quickly just as a bolt of lightning struck. I saw a 'man' looking at me from the other side of the window and screamed like a girl...until I realised it was my reflection.

I don't think I read anything beyond Airframe because at that point it started to get not so good. But someone told me that one of the newer books was good. I cannot confirm this, nor do I know which one.

The Golden Compass/Northern Lights - 7/10. Not exactly epic, but I would definitely read again. It was fun and mostly well-paced, and despite the hype around the movie the Church is nowhere near the mustache twirling villains I expected/people claimed. Nearing the end, however, I couldn't help but feel it could be so much more. Maybe the rest of the series is, though. I've got other shit to read before I buy the next, however.

And The Hippos Were Buried In Their Tanks by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs

9/10, amazing book.

Damn, I have been wanting to read both a Kerouac and Burroughs book, so this seems good. Should I read this first or do you recommend any other books of theirs to read before? Kinda want to read "On the Road." Was just reading about how he took a "shit load" of amphetamines and just wrote it all on one gigantic scroll in a few days.